This truth is illustrated in a letter written by an imaginary parish priest complaining of the disruptive behaviour of one of his parishioners. I'm sure some of the more conservative Catholics would say he is way off, but, well, he's a priest too and views like his will do a lot more to help people and the Church.

It is written especially for bewildered, confused or disillusioned Christians, who have a love-hate relationship with the Church. Not to satisfy some super judge, nor to comply with the strictures of any religion, but rather because God loves us all and wants everyone to know it and rejoice in that knowledge. This book has only one purpose: to suggest ways of finding the treasure in what we may consider a most unlikely field - ourselves.It's not a spiritual method of which I am a great fan but this book undoubtedly introduces it well and with great care. Although not recommended by the author I did read straight through it without doing the exercises at the end of each chapter.

The 2022 edition of this evergreen classic comes with a new foreword written by Margaret Silf and is presented in paperback with a contemporary cover design and French flaps. The remainder of his thesis is essentially a guide to a personalised and internalised adaptation of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises as a way of `finding' this hidden treasure. As one who is, more likely than not, within a decade or two of his demise, I ponder often on spirituality and the question of 'life after death'. At the end of the chapter, he presents some biblical texts which could be useful for imaginative contemplation. I was particularly taken with a simple yet profound definition of sin - the refusal to let God be God in my life.

The use of the imagination and emotions in encountering what God has to say to you from his word is gently and easily put. Ignatios Loyola using the parable of the treasure found in a field for which a man sells everything to aquire. It is simply but eloquently written and the author's goodness and love for all of us, Christian or not, is abundantly evident. As a baptized Catholic who seeks meaning in life and spirituality, yet feels alienated by organized religion, I found this book to be a great comfort. Yet it has provided a highly accessible way for readers to be introduced to the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises without having to go the usual route of attending a retreat under the supervision of a spiritual director.

This book is very practical yet so often exposes a deep thought in a completely new light and utter simplicity.We move towards the field and dig towards the treasure through the decisions we make in everyday life.